Study Reveals Profile of Typical Moroccan Emigrant: Young, Male, and Seeking Opportunity

The survey that allowed the definition of the typical profile of Moroccan migrants is the latest carried out by the High Commission for Planning (HCP). It is all the more relevant as it takes into account a sample of 15,076 households hosting current or returning migrants, in order to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of the latter.

Out of 11,780 Moroccans residing abroad (MREs), the survey reveals that two-thirds are men. Among women, it is rather the 30-39 age group that is higher and stands at 34.4%. The HCP survey shows that in terms of education level, 33.6% of the MREs surveyed have done higher education and 24.5% have completed their studies, proof that the kingdom is losing a considerable part of its intellectual elite. Among the reasons justifying the departure, the same survey indicates that more than half chose to emigrate, to build a decent professional situation or to afford better living conditions. Then, in second position, comes the question of continuing studies with 24.8%.

In their countries of residence, Moroccan migrants are mostly employees, among whom 12.8% work without a contract. However, the contribution of these migrants to the development of the kingdom is not significant enough. Indeed, the survey points out that 4 out of 10 migrants transfer funds to Morocco. Even better, only 3.9% said they had carried out investment projects in Morocco, particularly in real estate (40.7%), agriculture (19%) and commerce (5.5%).

The survey also reveals that young people are the most affected by the phenomenon of emigration. They represent 40.3% for the 15-29 age group and 10.3% for the 45-59 age group. If emigration is higher among young people with a good level of education with 25% for high school and higher graduates compared to 12.4% for people without a diploma, it is higher among the unemployed, with 50.9%.

As for the destinations, Europe comes first with 80% of the expressed intentions, while North America attracts only 8.8% of the people surveyed. The Arab countries come in third position, with 2.8%.